Labsphere UV-2000S In-Vitro Sunscreen Analyser

Instantaneous Sunscreen SPF Protection Factor Values as well as Compliance with the 2007 COLIPA UVA-PF & 2008 Boots Star Rating Methods

Labsphere's UV-2000S sunscreen analyser is the successor to the UV-1000S which became the defacto standard for in-vitro sunscreen testing. Building on that instrument's speed and ease of use, the UV-2000S adds a higher absorbance sensitivity (2.7A) to support the development of the highest protection factor sunscreens (50+), a design which is fully compliant with the requirements of the latest industry standards from COLIPA and Boots and updated, method-driven software to simplify the measurement process.

Labsphere’s UV-2000S incorporates the latest component and software technology into an industry proven system architecture, to achieve accurate in-vitro SPF/UVA-Protection Factor analysis of sun care products developed to receive the “very high” sun protection label. Driven by rapidly evolving industry requirements to simplify product labeling and new in-vitro methods to validate product UVA Protection, the UV-2000S is designed to comply with recently approved in-vitro methods, such as the 2007 COLIPA UVA-PF and the 2008 Boots Star Rating methods. The UV-2000S is positioned to replace Labsphere’s UV-1000S as the Industry’s choice for not only laboratory in-vitro SPF/UVA analysis, but also production floor quality control.

» Download UV-2000S Product Sheet
» Download UV-2000S FAQ Sheet
» Download Sunscreen SPF Tech Guide
» Download UV-1000S Product Sheet (archive copy)

Fast Measurements

The UV-2000S rapidly measures the diffuse transmittance of sunscreen samples in the ultraviolet wavelength region from 250-450nm. Labsphere’s Spectralon® integrating sphere incorporates a re-optimised xenon flashlamp to provide exceptional diffuse illumination of the product sample and minimise data integration time. New high performance diode array spectrometers coupled by new, advanced fibere optics are optimised at the system level for low stray light with superior wavelength stability and flash-to-flash repeatability. The use of a xenon flashlamp both minimses sample heating effects and promotes a greatly extended lamp life compared to instruments which employ a continuous xenon lamp. In addition, the UV-2000S emits no unpleasant ozone, unlike instruments which burn a xenon lamp continously.

Features

• One touch sample analysis, with results in less than five seconds (per location, per slide).
• Manual translation stage for accurate sample positioning, pre-and post-irradiation.
• Easy-to-use, menu-driven application software.
• Simple instrument performance validation routine ensures accurate, repeatable
  measurements.
• Advanced software supports "free-style" testing as well as method-driven tests in accordance with the COLIPA and Boots procedures.
• Automatic calculation of SPF, UVA to UVB ratio, critical wavelength, 2007 COLIPA UVA-PF method and
  2008 Boots Star Rating.

Improved

Many improvements are incorporated in the UV-2000S to realise a new industry defacto standard for in-vitro sun care product analysis. System improvements include new spectrometers, a xenon flash lamp, improved optical coupling fibres, a new optical head positioning mechanism, a sample positioning stage and a new, robust software development platform. The new diode array spectrometers feature stable, custom concave diffractive optics for measurement integrity and repeatability, original holographic diffraction gratings (rather than replicated gratings) which are peaked for higher efficiency across the 290-400nm UV wavelength range, and longer pixel arrays for better pixel wavelength resolution. Illumination is now filtered at the integrating sphere to limit total exposure at the sample and to improve stray light performance. A higher flash rate reduces exposure times, minimising dark current and maximising dynamic range. Use of solarisation resistant fibres maintains high system throughput over time. Longer fibres filter higher order modes to provide cleaner grating illumination which in turn improves stray light performance.

Powerful Application Software

The UV-2000S software was developed within the Microsoft .NET Framework®. The software includes modular architecture and supports the latest UI elements. The software supports the COLIPA UVA-PF method and is expandable to include new industry or regional methods as they occur. The software facilitates capture/archival/retrieval and export of all data including bare substrate data that may impact UVA-PF due to surface roughness. The UV-2000S application software includes an integrated Performance Validation Routine that allows for on-site validation and re-validation to ensure optimum instrument performance. A set of calibrated standards, including a wavelength standard that captures six relevant spectral bands, is included with each UV-2000S Transmittance Analyser.

A built-in report function generates essential information at the click of a button. Reports include necessary information such as date, time, operator name, sample identification, and test parameters. Reports are conveniently viewed on your PC, printed, or exported as text to data processing software for further review and analysis.

Easy to Operate

The UV-2000S incorporates a standard, manually operated sample translation stage that is both easy to use and simplifies the process of measuring the same locations on a test substrate both before and after solar irradiation. The sample stage as standard accomodates PMMA plates with sizes of 50 x 50mm, 70 x 70mm and 75 x 75mm. A selection of standard "templates" are supplied for standard spot locations; user-designed templates can be easily fabricated and installed into the sample stage. Whereas the UV-1000S operator was required to lift the integrating sphere illuminator to insert and remove each test slide, the UV-2000S sample stage conveniently slides the PMMA plate beneath the sphere without the need to raise the sphere for access.

» Download video clip of UV-2000S sample stage